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The Bible Prayer Line was begun by Pastor Joseph J. Reine in 1989. In it's inception, it invited and informed the members of the Community of Christian Doctrine and other Bible teachings and has grown since then.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Bible Questions Answered:Matthew talks about the fig tree, who is the fig tree?Mark P./ Charlotte, North Carolina

Bible Answers:The scripture to which you refer to is.....

Matthew 24:32-36 KJV[32] Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:[33] So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things(conditions of the “Last Days,” mentioned in Matthew 24), know that it is near, even at the doors.[34] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.[35] Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.[36] But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Who is the fig tree? The Word, tell us.

Joel 1:6,7 NLT6 A vast army of locusts has invaded my land (the Hebrew nation-Palestine),a terrible army too numerous to count.Its teeth are like lions' teeth,its fangs like those of a lioness.7 It has destroyed my grapevines and ruined my fig trees,stripping their bark and destroying it,leaving the branches white and bare.”

Hosea 9:10 NASB10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness ; I saw your forefathers as the earliest fruit on the fig tree in its first season....”

The Word of God, tells us that “God likens His people to the fig tree.”

Again....

Matthew 24:32-36 KJV[32] Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:[33] So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things(conditions of the “Last Days,” mentioned in Matthew 24), know that it is near, even at the doors.[34] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.[35] Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.[36] But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Matthew 24:, and Luke 21 parallel scriptures.....

Luke 21:28-33 KJV[28] And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.[29] And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;[30] When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.[31] So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.[32] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.[33] Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

The Fig Tree represents the Jews.The Budding of the Fig Tree, represents it's growing and coming to life.Many interpret this as meaning the beginning and flourishing of the Jewish Nation (since 1948).And since that year, countless Jews every year go back home to their beloved Palestine.

Many of these last day events mentioned, are taking place today, as the Jewish people repopulate their home land.

Many of these verses refer as much to events leading up to the Rapture of the Church, as they also do to refer to Christ's Second Advent.

In either case, many of these last day conditions are “Now Prevalent” ...before the rapture, indicating the soon secret catching away of the Bride of Christ-could be at any moment!

Matthew 24:

verses--

4,5 False Christs

6,7 Wars and rumors of wars

9,10 Religious persecution

11 False Prophets

12 Spiritual coldness, indifference

14 Gospel preached to all the world

15 Abomination of Desolation (Anti-Christ, seated in the temple of Jerusalem) (A sign of the middle of the Tribulation Period.)

Thursday, June 26, 2008

You say, you do not believe in a second chance salvation after death, you obviously do not read the Bible, because Peter plainly states that the dead have the gospel preached to them!Alexander T./ Brooklyn, New York

Bible Answers:The scripture to which you refer is...

I Peter 4:1-6 KJV[1] Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;[2] That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.[3] For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:[4] Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:[5] Who shall give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.[6] For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Peter doesn't say the gospel was preached to those who “were dead,” but to those who “are-now-dead.”

Meaning that the gospel was preached to them while they were yet alive.

I Peter 4:1-6 NLT1 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.2 You won't spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.5 But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead.6 That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit.

We also find a similar statement in....

I Peter 3:18-20 KJV[18] For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:[19] By which (in the Spirit) also He went and preached unto the spirits in (now in) prison;[20] Which sometime were disobedient (past tense), when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus Christ, preached to the people of Noah's day (before the flood.)

He did that “By the Spirit,” through his servant Noah.

I Peter 3:18-20 NASV18.For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit ;19.in which (the power of the Holy Spirit) also He went and made proclamation to the spirits (who are ) now in prison, (Through His servant Noah.)20.who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.

In John 14:1-11 KJV Here our Lord, tells Thomas, that the Father had been speaking to him, though he was unaware of it.[1] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.[2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.[4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.[5] Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.[7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.[8] Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.[9] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?[10] Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.[11] Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

The eternal Son of God was in Noah, the servant of God, warning the people, of coming judgment, one hundred and twenty years before the flood, though they were unaware of Him.

No, there is no such thing as “second chance salvation!”

Many people would love to live for the devil in this life and repent in the next, what an insult to God, and any thinking individual, that God should be so stupid.

Hebrews 9:27 KJV[27] And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Luke 12:15-20 KJV[15] And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.[16] And He spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:[17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?[18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.[19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.[20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

After Death, judgment.This the idea the Apostle Paul gave in...

Hebrews 9:27 KJV[27] And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

The Lord Jesus said that after the rich man died, he faced judgment, his living days on earth were over, and now he would go to the reward, he had coming.

The Lord Jesus again gave us a view of this action in the true account of Lazarus and the rich man.

Luke 16:19-31 KJV[19] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:[20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,[21] And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.[22] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;[23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.[24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.[25] But Abraham said, Son (fellow Jew), remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.[26] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.[27] Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:[28] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.[29] Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.[30] And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.[31] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Much could be said about this true story, but we have mentioned it in other writings.But we mention it now to show that the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son, plainly taught that after death, the soul of man faces it's eternal reward,whether it be good or evil.

The beggar, Lazarus, was taken into Paradise (Abraham's Bosom).The Rich man died, and was immediately in hell and in torment.

The beggar, Lazarus (whose name means in Hebrew: Elazar: God is my helper), though poor, sick and diseased, was received into Paradise.

The Rich man who had cared only for himself all his life, while having a blind eye to those in need, found himself in hell, and torment.

Hebrews 9:27 KJV[27] And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

Mankind has one life to decide his direction for eternity, and only one opportunity.To believe anything else, is to believe in second chance salvation, which is a lie from satan.

The rich men of Luke 12:15-20/ and Luke 16:19-31, had no opportunity to undue their past, nor will anyone else.

These are the words of God's own Son.

The ClockThe Clock of life is wound but once,And no man has the powerTo tell just when the hands will stopAt late or early hour.

To lose one's wealth is sad indeed.To lose one's health is more.To lose one's soul is such a lossThat no one can restore.

Matthew 16:26 KJV[26] For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Just as there is a “Holy Trinity,” so there is an sinister and nefarious “Evil Trinity.”Our Lord mentioned the “Holy Trinity,” in....

Matthew 28:19 KJV“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:“

And our Lord, warned of the “Evil Trinity.”

Revelation 16:13,14 TNLT13 And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths ofthe dragon, (The Father-Satan, the Devil, the Dragon...)the beast, and (The Son-Anti-Christ, the Man of Sin...)the false prophet. (The Spirit- Evil-Spiritual Leader..)14 They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty.

The work of the second beast (the False Prophet.)

Revelation 13:11-18 KJV[11] And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon (Satan).

In John 1:29 KJV...we read...“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

This false, spiritual leader, will come in looking as if he is a “Christ-Like,” figure, but he is a servant of Satan.“and he had two horns like a lamb,”

Revelation 13:...[12] And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him (Son of Satan, the Anti-Christ), and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

Spiritual leaders, promote worship, and that is exactly what this beast (man) does.But the worship he is promoting is not worship of the Living God, but of the Anti-Christ.

By the way, with so many people writing books today...let the truth be made known!The Anti-Christ is a man, who Will-Not-Be-Revealed, until the catching away of the Bride of Christ.

II Thesssalonians 2:5-8 NLB5 Don't you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you?6 And you know what is holding him (the Anti-Christ) back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes.7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one (God the Holy Spirit) who is holding it back steps out of the way.8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed,

Revelation 13:...[13] And he (this second beast-The False Prophet) doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

Jesus warned...

John 5:43 KJV“I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”

The dangers of “Sign-Seeking.”

Matthew 12:38-41 KJV[38] Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.[39] But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:[40] For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.[41] The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

Revelation 13:...[14] And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

Matthew 24:23-26 KJV[23] Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.[24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.[25] Behold, I have told you before.[26] Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

The False Prophet, will cause men and women to bow and worship the image of the beast.

How reminiscent this is of ....

Daniel 3:1-30 KJV[1] Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.[2] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.[3] Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.[4] Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,[5] That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:[6] And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.[7] Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.[8] Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.[9] They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.[10] Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:[11] And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.[12] There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon,Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.[13] Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.[14] Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?[15] Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?[16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful (we do not need to defend ourselves.) to answer thee in this matter.[17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.[18] But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

[19] Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.[20] And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.[21] Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.[22] Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.[23] And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.[24] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.[25] He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

[26] Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego,ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire.[27] And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellers, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

[28] Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent His angel, and delivered His servants that trusted in Him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.[29] Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.[30] Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon.

Revelation13:...[15] And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Revelation 20:4 KJV[4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

The power, and might of the False Prophet.

Revelation 13:...[16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:[17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.[18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

First control of men's souls, then second, control of their bodies.No commerce, without soul and body alliance and allegiance, to the Anti-Christ.To refuse, means death.

The False Prophet is the leader of the last day, false church, in Revelation 17:5 KJV called the mother of all harlots.[5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Revelation 17:1-18 NLT1 One of the seven angels who had poured out the seven bowls came over and spoke to me. "Come with me," he said, "and I will show you the judgment that is going to come on the great prostitute,who rules over many waters (People and Nations).2 The kings of the world have committed adultery with her, and the people who belong to this world have been made drunk by the wine of her immorality."3 So the angel took me in the Spirit into the wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that had seven heads and ten horns, and blasphemies against God were written all over it.4 The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls. In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality.5 A mysterious name was written on her forehead: "Babylon the Great, Mother of All Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World."6 I could see that she was drunk—drunk with the blood of God's holy people who were witnesses for Jesus (martyrs-the Roman inquisition). I stared at her in complete amazement.7 "Why are you so amazed?" the angel asked. "I will tell you the mystery of this woman and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns on which she sits.8 The beast you saw was once alive but isn't now. And yet he will soon come up out of the bottomless pit and go to eternal destruction. And the people who belong to this world, whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made, will be amazed at the reappearance of this beast who had died.9 "This calls for a mind with understanding: The seven heads of the beast represent the seven hills where the woman rules (Seven Hills of Rome). They also represent seven kings.10 Five kings have already fallen, the sixth now reigns, and the seventh is yet to come, but his reign will be brief.11 "The scarlet beast that was, but is no longer, is the eighth king. He is like the other seven, and he, too, is headed for destruction.12 The ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to power. They will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast.13 They will all agree to give him their power and authority.14 Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him."15 Then the angel said to me, "The waters where the prostitute is ruling represent masses of people of every nation and language.16 The scarlet beast and his ten horns all hate the prostitute. They will strip her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her remains with fire.17 For God has put a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes. They will agree to give their authority to the scarlet beast, and so the words of God will be fulfilled.18 And this woman you saw in your vision represents the great city (Rome) that rules over the kings of the world."

What fate awaits this false religious leader, ambassador of the Anti Christ?

Revelation 19:20“And the beast (the Anti-Christ) was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

This happens at the second Advent, or the Second Coming of Christ, with His church to set up His Millennial reign on earth (before the Millennium), a period of one thousand years.

And one thousand years later, Satan himself is cast into the Lake of Fire, where still the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet are...no, they didn't burn up and never will, but will suffer torment forever and ever.

Revelation 20:7-10 KJV[7] And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,[8] And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.[9] And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.[10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

There is a false church in the world today, our Lord has called “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS.”

And this false, deceptive world church, and religious system, is so called because of it's deceptiveness.

Ripe with riches, regality, religiosity, and ruin, she is a deceptive whore, lulling the spiritually asleep patron to his dome.

Warning:

II Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?[15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?[16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Revelation 14:9-11 KJV[9] And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,[10] The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:[11] And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

I see that according to Rev. 5:9 that even the Beasts in heaven, are saved by the blood of Christ, and give thanks. Why don't we hear this ever?Deborah W./ Charlotte, North Carolina

Bible Answers:

The scripture to which you refer is .....

Revelation 5:1-14 KJV[1] And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.[2] And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?[3] And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.[4] And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.[5] And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.[6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.[7] And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne.[8] And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.[9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;[10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.[11] And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;[12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.[13] And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.[14] And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth for ever and ever.

In the original Greek, the word “us,” is omitted.Another translation....The New Living Bible

Revelation 5:1-14 TNLB1 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: "Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?"3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it.5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, "Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David's throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals."6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne.8 And when He took the scroll, the (Beasts-KJV) four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people.9 And they sang a new song with these words:

"You are worthy to take the scrolland break its seals and open it.For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for Godfrom every tribe and language and people and nation.

10 And you have caused them to becomea Kingdom of priests for our God.And they will reign on the earth."

11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and richesand wisdom and strengthand honor and glory and blessing."

13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

"Blessing and honor and glory and powerbelong to the one sitting on the throneand to the Lamb forever and ever."

14 And the four living beings said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

What a difference one translation can make!In the KJV text, it appears that both, Living Creatures, and the twenty four Elders, have been redeemed by the blood of Christ.

But not so.

The “Living Creatures,” which guard the throne of God, never have sinned, and consequently unlike men, need to be redeemed.

As the New Living Translation so very well puts it....”For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for Godfrom every tribe and language and people and nation.”

People are ransomed by the blood of Christ.

Angels may bow, but only God's saints, they who have been saved by the precious blood of Christ, know how and why to sing...

What can wash a-way my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus:What can make me whole a-gain? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.Oh! Precious is the flow that makes me white as snowNo other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Rev. I know the rapture is after the tribulation, just look at Matthew 24:22. The “elect, the church” is on the scene, in the tribulation.Ralph W./ Joliet, Illinois

Bible Questions Answered:Jesus talking to His men, says in Matthew:

Matthew 24:15-22 KJV[15] When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)[16] Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:[17] Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:[18] Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.[19] And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days![20] But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:[21] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.[22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Sir, you, base your belief on the words...”the elect.”But those words the elect though they oftern do refer to the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, many times also refer to the Jewish Nation.

The Church:

I Peter 1:1,2 KJV[1] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,[2] Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

The Apostle Paul told the Colossian church...

Colossians 1:12 KJV “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”

The Jewish Nation:

Isaiah 45:4 KJV “For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.”

Isaiah 65:9 KJV “And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.”

Well, knowing this, we must then of necessity ask the question, who is “the elect,” referred to in Matthew 24:22?

And we may know that answer by reading the content of the preceding text.

Matthew 24:15 KJV[15] When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

This is the (tribulation) sacrilege of the anit-christ, sitting in the temple of Jerusalem, saying that he is god. This then is speaking the Jews!

Matthew 24:16 KJV[16] Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

This verse plainly states it is in the land of Judea (home of the Jews).

So, the Church of Jesus Christ has been raptured some three and one half years earlier, to these events, and that this verse does not speak of the church is only evident.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

James 5:14-16 KJV[14] Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:[15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.[16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Is prayer for the sick, for today's believers?

The last epistles of our New Testament (7) have been called the “Universal Epistles.” They are call universal because these words were not given for any specific congregation, but for all believers everywhere.

James (was a half brother to the Lord Jesus) the leader of the Jerusalem church, was martyred at Jerusalem in 62 A.D.

James was a man of action. He believed that a man's faith should be in action.

James 2:14-26 KJV[14] What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?[15] If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,[16] And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?[17] Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.[18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.[19] Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.[20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?[21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?[22] Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?[23] And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.[24] Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.[25] Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?[26] For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James 5:14 KJV[14] Is any sick among you?...”

Our Lord, constantly ministered to the sick.

Hebrews 4:15,16 NLT15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Our Lord always has, and always will, feel the hurt and pain of others.He healed the sick, the halt, the lame, and brought the dead back to life.

Now, are there still the sick, among us? The halt, the lame, the dying?Yes!

Is our Lord's compassion, abated, because He now sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for His people?Never!

James the leader of the Jerusalem church said...

James 5:14-16 KJV[14] Is any sick among you? let him call forthe elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil (a symbol of the power of the Holy Spirit) in the name of the Lord:[15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.[16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

The Apostle Paul stated that “healing,” was a gift of the Holy Spirit, not one gift, but gifts, plural, many healings.

I Corinthians 12;4-9 KJV “[4] Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.[5] And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.[6] And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.[7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.[8] For to one is given by the Spirit ...[9] ...the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

Sins are to be confessed.

James 5:16 KJV “[16] Confess your faults one to another,...”

Self examination, as coming before the Eucharist.

I Corinthians 11:28 KJV “But let a man examine himself,...”

Has a sinful life style, lead to this sickness? If so, then repentance and confession are in order.Of course it goes without saying that sickness, is certainly not always the cause of sickness.

And, it also goes without saying that not everyone prayed for will be healed, for God is sovereign!His ways are NOT always our ways.

Isaiah 55:8,9 KJV[8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.[9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

And, it also reasons that Divine Healing will not precede or be brought about, without the prayer of faith of the elders of the church!

Friends, the Word of God, does not lie.Many times, our wonderful physicians, tell us, “Sorry, there is nothing more that we can do.”

Mankind has it's limitations, but God, does not!

Our pre-incarnate Lord, asked old Abraham...

Genesis 18:14 KJV“Is any thing too hard for the LORD?..”

Abraham went on to become a father at 100, and Sarah, a mother at 90.

James 5:14-16 KJV[14] Is any sick among you?

Let us be faithful to the wonderful Word of God!Pastors, Elders, Believers...call the sick, and anoint them with oil, praying the prayer of faith....And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise (them) up;

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Dad's this Fathers's day, may we pause to reflect upon our Heavenly Father, and His great example to us!

Our Heavenly Father is.....

A Provider:

Matthew 7:7-11 KJV[7] Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:[8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.[9] Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?[10] Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?[11] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?

Of a Home:

John 14:2 KJV[2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

I Corinthians 2:9 KJV[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.

Of Protection:

John 17:11 KJV[11] And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Psalm 125:2 KJV[2] As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about His people from henceforth even for ever.

Our, Helper, who gives us, Nourishment and Support:

Isaiah 41:10 KJV[10] Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 46:4 KJV[4] And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Meets our Needs:

Matthew 6:[25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?[26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?[27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?[28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:[29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.[30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?[31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?[32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

I Peter 5:7 KJV[7] Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

Our Heavenly Father is....

Holy:

Psalm 99:9 KJV[9] Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

Isaiah 6:1-3 KJV[1] In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple.[2] Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.[3] And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.

Impartial:

I Peter 1:17 KJV“...the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work...”

Acts 10:34 KJV[34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

A Father of Love and Compasion:

John 3:16 KJV[16] For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I John 3:1 KJV[1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:

I John 4:8 KJV[8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Psalm 86:15 KJV[15] But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Merciful and Forgiving:

Micah 7:18,19 KJV[18] Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever,because He delighteth in mercy.[19] He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Psalm 103:17 KJV[17] But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children;

Our Friend:

John 15:15 KJV[15] Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Proverbs 18:24 KJV[24] A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Psalm 16:7 KJV[7] I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel:..”

A Father of Discipline:

Hebrews 12:5-11 KJV[5] ...My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:[6] For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.[7] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?[8] But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.[9] Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?[10] For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.[11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Proverbs 3:11,12 KJV[11] My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of His correction:[12] For whom the LORD loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Our Father, is Near:

Psalm 16:8 KJV[8] I have set the LORD always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Jeremiah 23:23 KJV[23] Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?

These are but a few of the attributes of our wonderful Heavenly Father. Dad's every day in every way, lets follow Him in his greatness!

Monday, June 9, 2008

Matthew 24:3-51 KJV[4] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.[5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

[23] Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.[24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.[25] Behold, I have told you before.[26] Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.[27] For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Mark 13:21-23 KJV[21] And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:[22] For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.[23] But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Recently on a international radio broadcast, a man claimed to be “Jesus Christ.”He of course was a “false christ, and a deceiver!”

Well, if He's not on the radio, wouldn't it be nice to know just where Jesus Christ is?

The unerring Word of God, tells us!

Romans 8:34 KJV[34] ...It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Colossians 3:1 KJV[1] If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Hebrews 1:1-3 KJV[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,[2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;[3] Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 8:1 KJV[1]... We have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Hebrews 10:12 KJV[12] But this man (Christ), after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Hebrews 12:2 KJV[2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I Peter 3:21,22 KJV[21]...Jesus Christ:[22] Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.

Yes, we can know!Our Great High Priest, is sitting at the right hand of the Father, interceding for His people.

I John 2:18 KJV[18] Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists;whereby we know that it is the last time.

Matthew 24:44-51 KJV[44] Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.[45] Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?[46] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.[47] Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.[48] But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;[49] And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;[50] The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,[51] And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Bible Questions Answered:I know a group of people, who say we are to command God, to do things. Is this right?Albin S. / Paisley, UK

Bible Answers:The scripture to which you refer is...

Isaiah 45:11 KJV[11] Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and His Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

But let us look at the context of this verse...

Isaiah 45:5-12 KJV[5] I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:[6] That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.[7] I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.[8] Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.

[9] Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth.

A)Shall the clay say to Him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

[10] Woe unto him that saith unto his father,

B)What begettest thou? or to the woman,

C)What hast thou brought forth?

[11] Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

[12] I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

Verse 11, is really a charge against Israel's sin. How far would Israel go in their murmuring against God?

Would they indeed, Command God, the Creator of the Universe?

Three interrogatives are listed before verse 11, found in verses 9,10.

Verse 11, is verily well translated as one more action of a rebellious people, which questions the Living God.

Other translations ....

Isaiah 45:11 NIV“This is what the LORD says—the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker:Concerning things to come,do you question me about my children,or give me orders about the work of my hands?”

Isaiah 45:11 NLT“This is what the LORD says—the Holy One of Israel and your Creator:"Do you question what I do for my children?Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?”

Isaiah 45:11 NeXt“This is what the Lord says,the Holy One of Israel, the one who formed Him,concerning things to come:“How dare you question me about my children!How dare you tell me what to do with the work of my own hands!”

So, we see, God is not telling individuals to command Him, how on the contrary, why the very idea is an evil presumption!

To say the least it is the very beginning of blasphemy!Israel's sin, lead to captivity. Captivity was the reward of their rebellion.

It would do us all well to read again...

Hebrews 10:31 KJV“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Philippians 2:12 KJV“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear (Phobos: Alarm, freight.) and trembling.”

Acts 9:31 KJV' Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”

Luke 21:36 KJV“ Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

John 14:12-14 KJV[12] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.[13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.[14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

To be sure our Lord's words have reference to His spiritual work for the Kingdom of God, i.e. Spiritual Work.E.g.

Matthew 28:18-20 KJV[18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen

Mark 16:15-18 NIV15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.17 And these signs will accompany those who believe:

In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; (Snakes & Poison: Not something sought after (Matthew 4:5-7), rather something come upon by misfortune...as in ..the viper the Apostle Paul picked up at the island of Melita, though bitten, protected by God, Acts 28:1-6./ Poison, or deadly thing-Daniel escaped the Lion's den, by the hand of God, Daniel 6:20-22. they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Now this promise is also true of secular accomplishments by ....Engineers, Doctors, Scientists, Psychologists, Contractors, etc., etc., ....

And our world is amazed every year at what inventive minds have thought of. And what of tomorrow, it appears that the only limit man will have, will be his imagination. May all our accomplishments, be guided by righteousness.

Matthew 17:20 KJV[20] And Jesus said unto them,...verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Mark 9:23 KJV[23] Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

But of all the important accomplishments of mankind there is only one and only one, that is mandatory, for life in the world to come!

John 6:28,29 KJV[28] Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?[29] Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.